Brussels, 21/10/2010 (Agence Europe) - On Wednesday 20 October, the European Commission called for a dangerous ecstasy-like drug that is still legal in 12 EU countries to be banned. “Mephedrone is a dangerous drug that is available online and on the street corner. People have already died because of this drug, so I urge governments to move fast to control and criminalise it,” said EU Justice Commissioner Viviane Reding. Mephedrone has been linked to at least 37 deaths in the UK and Ireland. The Commission proposal calls on EU member states to stop the free spread of mephedrone across Europe by submitting it to control measures. Once adopted, the Commission proposal would ban the manufacturing and the marketing of mephedrone, making it punishable by criminal sanctions all over Europe. EU governments must now decide on whether to put these measures into force, voting by a qualified majority in the Council. (B.C./transl.rt)